Republic Window and Doors: Bank of America reaches agreement to pay fired workers
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After six days of negations and a well-publicized sit-in, Bank of America and the workers of Republic Windows and Doors have come to an agreement. BOA agreed to give a $1.35-million loan to Republic Windows and Doors to fulfill their financial commitment to the employees. BOA is working under the WARN Act, which states that companies are required to provide 60 days’ advance notice of closings or large layoffs.
On Tuesday December 2, workers of Republic Windows and Doors were told that the factory was shutting their doors. Given three days’ notice and being left without vacation and severance pay, the workers staged a peaceful sit-in at the factory and a downtown BOA branch.
Yesterday, union officials and BOA met at 1 p.m. to discuss their negotiations. Workers moved from the factory to a downtown branch to show support and demand that the bank also work to stop foreclosures.
Recently, JP Morgan Chase, whose subsidiary owns 40 percent of Republic Windows and Doors, gave $400,000 to help aid in the payment of the workers. According to the union, the workers are each owed anywhere from $3,500 to $4,000 in just severance pay. In total, with severance and vacation pay, the workers are owed $1.5 million.
After several hours, the deal was struck and press conference followed at the factory. During the public address Illinois, BOA president David Rudis shed light on what led to the conclusions of this story around the nation.
“We have worked with the company’s management and other owners, including Chase Capital Corporation, to do the right thing for employees,” he said. “Compliance with the WARN Act is the responsibility of management and owners. Although we are a lender with no obligation to pay Republic’s employees or make additional loans to Republic, we agreed to extend an additional loan to be used exclusively to pay its employees.” –gavin philip godfrey
